Thelen Memorial Library Find A-Z eResource List Databases Get Help Chat "How Do I..." Library Tutorials LibGuides Library Handbook Services How to Reserve a Study Room My Account/Interlibrary Loan Requests Writing Center About the Writing Center About APA Academic Writer Access APA Academic Writer About Tutor.com About Turnitin Originality About Biography of George and Sue Thelen Vision & Mission Contact Us Directions Collections and Resources Hours Library Log-In Divine Mercy UniversityLibGuidesOther GuidesConducting Literature ReviewsChoosing What Literature to Use Search this GuideSearch Conducting Literature Reviews: Choosing What Literature to Use HomeLiterature Review BasicsTypes of Literature ReviewsSteps to Conducting a Literature ReviewToggle DropdownClarifying the Goal Choosing Databases and Literature Sources Developing Search Strategies Choosing What Literature to Use Applying Screening Techniques Doing the Review Documenting and Writing Up the Review ResourcesQuiz Choosing What Literature to Use In conducting a literature review, it is important to decide what types of information sources that you want to include. For instance, do you want to use primary sources or secondary sources? Do you want qualitative or quantitative studies, and do you want to include empirical studies or opinions? Considering all of these things will help you to decide what to include and use, as well as what to leave out. Source Types Primary sources, such as original research articles, or secondary sources, such as literature reviews, need to be considered as to whether or not to include in your literature review. If there is a lot of research and need a summary of previous studies, using literature reviews might be appropriate. Otherwise it is best to use original research articles. Methodological Approaches Methodology of studies you want to include is also dependent on the question or goals you ask. Whether you want to include quantitative or qualitative studies, for example, should be guided by your research question and research design. Information Types Depending on the goal of your research, you should decide whether to include empirical studies, theoretical perspectives, or opinion papers. The novelty of your research would also influence this. For example, if your study involves a new topic that does not already have previous research on the subject, you may need to include opinion or theoretical papers. Otherwise, you might decide to only include empirical studies. << Previous: Developing Search StrategiesNext: Applying Screening Techniques >>
In conducting a literature review, it is important to decide what types of information sources that you want to include. For instance, do you want to use primary sources or secondary sources? Do you want qualitative or quantitative studies, and do you want to include empirical studies or opinions? Considering all of these things will help you to decide what to include and use, as well as what to leave out.
Primary sources, such as original research articles, or secondary sources, such as literature reviews, need to be considered as to whether or not to include in your literature review. If there is a lot of research and need a summary of previous studies, using literature reviews might be appropriate. Otherwise it is best to use original research articles.
Methodology of studies you want to include is also dependent on the question or goals you ask. Whether you want to include quantitative or qualitative studies, for example, should be guided by your research question and research design.
Depending on the goal of your research, you should decide whether to include empirical studies, theoretical perspectives, or opinion papers. The novelty of your research would also influence this. For example, if your study involves a new topic that does not already have previous research on the subject, you may need to include opinion or theoretical papers. Otherwise, you might decide to only include empirical studies.
